A four month long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies has led to the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, cash, jewelry, several guns, and the arrests of twelve Jersey City residents.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, over 100 law enforcement officers executed search warrants in Jersey City, Newark, Rahway, and The Bronx, New York yesterday and seized over one kilo of suspected heroin, over 400 grams of fentanyl, three handguns, over $70,000 cash and $500,000 worth of jewelry, suspected to be proceeds from narcotics transactions.
The investigation was a joint effort of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Jersey City Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.
The raids, which began at 5 a.m., resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals — including an employee with the United States Postal Service — and uncovered a manufacturing and distribution facility in Newark. The street value of the recovered narcotics is approximately $342,000.
According to authorities, Charles King, 48, of Jersey City stood atop the organization. He has been charged with Leading a Narcotics Trafficking Network, Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl). and two counts of Money Laundering.
“Charles King and his crew’s alleged schemes to distribute fentanyl throughout New Jersey were fueled by plain greed — a desire to enrich themselves with jewelry, cash, guns,, and cars — all at the expense of the community who is left to shoulder the burdens brought on by organized drug trade,” said Jason Molina, special agent in charge of HSI Newark. “HSI and our law enforcement partners will remain steadfast in investigating and arresting those who flood our streets with illicit narcotics like fentanyl.”
Eleven other Jersey City residents were charged with a variety of crimes including conspiracy, drug possession, weapons possession, money laundering, and obstruction. They include Ronderence Pinckney, 50; Erving Carter, 50; Marlon Wells, 49; Kenneth Muldrow, 49; Joseph Williams, 59; Charles Taylor, 48; Terrance Grant, 33; Lois Hill, 62; Tamika Hill, 46; Kharheim Crawford, 49; and Jada Carter, 19.
Jorge Rosario, 49, of Rahway and Martin Adorno, 45, of The Bronx were also charged in the case.
Additional arrests and charges are pending.
“These arrests are the result of multiple law enforcement agencies working collaboratively with the goal of dismantling a high level and dangerous drug operation,” said Suarez. “Because of this strategic investigation, we were able to seize a large quantity of lethal narcotics, confiscate firearms that would have been used for unlawful purposes, and make the neighborhoods in which this network operated safer for those who live there. We thank our local and federal law enforcement partners who worked closely with our office throughout this investigation and every agency that offered assistance.”
Prosecutor Suarez also credited the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County SWAT Team, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police HAZMAT Unitthe , NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, and The Bronx District Attorney’s Office for assisting with the investigation.
Photo by Kindel Media